Mortality among people with HIV in the UK in 2021: findings from the National HIV Mortality Review

Background: The National HIV Mortality Review (NHMR) was launched by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and British HIV Association to better recognise causes of death and preventable death, and to describe end-of-life care, among people with HIV. Method(s): UK HIV services submitted data on all known deaths among people with HIV under their care in 2021 through a secure online form. Cause of death was categorised by an epidemiologist and four clinicians using the Coding Causes of Death in HIV protocol. Result(s): In 2021, 101 services reported 606 deaths among people with HIV to NHMR. In 2019, 74 services reported to the NHMR while 121 reported in 2020. Median age at death was 58 [interquartile range (IQR): 56-59] and most (76%) were male. Death cause was ascertainable for 78% (n=475), with the most common being non-AIDS-related cancers (26%), followed by non-AIDS-defining infections (19%), cardiovascular disease (16%), AIDS (9%), substance misuse (8%), respiratory disease (4%), accident/suicide (3%), liver disease (2%) and other causes (11%). COVID- 19 caused or contributed to 11% of all deaths. Thirtythree people (5%) died within a year of HIV diagnosis, 90% of these were diagnosed late (CD4<350 cells/mm3), 80% very late (CD4<200 cells/mm3), 54% diagnosed with AIDS and 33% had documented missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis. Viral suppression (<200 copies/mL) (87%) and treatment coverage (98%) was high with the median time on treatment 13 years [IQR: 8-20]. Common lifestyle risk factors in the preceding year included smoking (33%;n=179), excessive alcohol use (20%;n=103). Other factors included drug use (non-injecting and injecting) and opioid substitution therapy. Death had been expected for 298 (49%) individuals, of whom 230 had discussed end-of-life care and 108 had a documented advanced end-of-life care plan in place. Conclusion(s): Over half of people living with diagnosed HIV are aged over 50. Most deaths were not AIDS related however, one in eleven people with diagnosed HIV in the UK died from AIDS. Of people that died within a year of diagnosis, one in three had documented missed opportunities for earlier HIV diagnosis.

Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular structure and function in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy at six months and two years postpartum

Purpose: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with longer term postpartum cardiovascular sequelae, including double the risk of ischaemic heart disease and cardiovascular mortality (1). Transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) were performed in women with pregnancies complicated by gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, or uncomplicated pregnancy, at six months and two years postpartum. The aim was to longitudinally assess cardiac structure and function in women with HDP and compare this to women who had a normotensive pregnancy. The six-month results have been previously reported, we now present the two-year data. Method(s): A prospective cohort study was conducted in a pre-specified subgroup of 126 patients within a single, tertiary referral centre as part of the P4 (Post Partum, Physiology, Psychology, and Paediatric Follow Up) study (2). 74 (59%) women had a normotensive pregnancy, and 52 (41%) had a pregnancy complicated by HDP. Women with pre-existing hypertension were excluded from the study. The mean patient age at time of six-month postpartum TTE was 32 years (range 22-47 years). TTEs were performed by blinded experienced sonographers and reported by a single blinded imaging cardiologist. Result(s): Six months postpartum. 126 women underwent TTE at six months postpartum. Although all results fell within normal ranges, compared to women with a normotensive pregnancy, those with HDP had increased left ventricle (LV) wall thickness, higher relative wall thickness, and increased LV mass. E/A ratio was lower, and E/E' ratios higher in the group with pregnancy complicated by HDP, indicating a trend towards poorer diastolic function (2,3). Two years postpartum. 35 women completed a two year postpartum TTE (18 normotensive, 17 HDP). Measurements fell within normal ranges in both groups of women. At two years postpartum, women with HDP had larger BSA (1.9 vs 1.71 2 p=0.003), larger LV internal diastolic diameter (48.4 vs 45.5mm p=0.017) and increased inter-ventricular septum thickness (8.5 vs 7.7mm p=0.007) compared to those with normotensive pregnancy. LV mass was greater in women with HDP (98.1 vs 81.5g), as was LA volume indexed (25.4 vs 23.4 cm3/m3), however these differences did not reach significance (p=0.053 and 0.196 respectively). Compared to normotensive women, those with HDP had higher septal (8.7 vs 7.3 p=0.014) and lateral (6.6 vs 5.4 p=0.017) E/E' ratios, indicating a trend towards diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion(s): Despite measurements falling within normal ranges, our results indicate that women with HDP have changes in cardiac structure and function that persist out to two years postpartum. Limitations exist due to incomplete follow up, leading to small sample size;this was partially due to restrictions on service provision in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Table Presented).

Seroepidemiologic Investigation of a COVID-19 Outbreak Aboard a U.S. Navy Ship

The crew of USS Kidd experienced a COVID-19 outbreak identified in April 2020. This is the earliest documented COVID-19 study with RT-PCR, serology, and pre-exposure test data on the entirety of the exposed population (n=333). Case definitions included 121 confirmed (36.3% of crewmembers) and 18 probable (5.4% of crewmembers) based on laboratory diagnostic test results. At the time of testing positive, 62 (44.6%) cases reported no symptoms. Hispanic ethnicity (AOR: 2.71, CI: 1.40-5.25) and non-smoker status (AOR: 2.28, CI: 1.26-4.12) were identified as statistically significant risk factors. This study highlights the value of rapid, onboard diagnostic testing to quickly identify an outbreak and enumerate cases, as well as the serological testing to flag potential cases missed with standard viral case identification methodologies.

A Persistent Nightmare: A Case of Recurrent Brachial Artery Thrombosis

Background Brachial artery thrombosis can be seen with thromboembolism, hypercoagulability, and arterial thoracic outlet syndrome. Case A 33-year-old healthy female construction worker presented with right hand discoloration and pain. She suffered a COVID-19 infection 8 weeks prior with hand symptoms developing shortly thereafter. She could no longer work due to the pain. Duplex ultrasound and CTA of the right upper extremity (Figure) demonstrated localized thrombosis of the right brachial artery. The workup yielded no aortic or intracardiac thrombus, and cardiac event monitor showed no atrial arrhythmia. She underwent thrombectomy with brachial artery stenting and was found, during surgery, to have distal ulnar artery occlusion. Two days post-op, she had recurrent pain and was found to have brachial artery recurrent thrombosis. She underwent urgent brachial-brachial bypass. Arm pain continued despite graft patency, so ulnarpalmar bypass was performed. Decision-making Hypercoagulability workup, including antiphospholipid antibody, protein C, protein S, homocysteine, and Lp(a), was negative. Neither central thrombus on TEE nor evidence of thoracic outlet syndrome was found. As a diagnosis of exclusion, brachial artery thrombosis was ascribed to COVID infection. Despite rivaroxaban, the patient developed gangrene (Panel C) requiring partial digit amputation. Conclusion We present a case of COVID-19-induced recurrent brachial artery thrombosis despite surgical intervention. [Formula presented]Copyright © 2023 American College of Cardiology Foundation

Association between psychological distress trajectories from adolescence to midlife and mental health during the pandemic: evidence from two British birth cohorts.

BACKGROUND: This paper examined whether distinct life-course trajectories of psychological distress from adolescence to midlife were associated with poorer mental health outcomes during the pandemic. METHODS: We present a secondary analysis of two nationally representative British birth cohorts, the 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS) and 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70). We used latent variable mixture models to identify pre-pandemic longitudinal trajectories of psychological distress and a modified Poisson model with robust standard errors to estimate associations with psychological distress, life satisfaction and loneliness at different points during the pandemic. RESULTS: Our analysis identified five distinct pre-pandemic trajectories of psychological distress in both cohorts. All trajectories with prior symptoms of psychological distress irrespective of age of onset, severity and chronicity were associated with a greater relative risk of poorer mental health outcomes during the pandemic and the probability of poorer mental health associated with psychological distress trajectories remained fairly constant. The relationship was not fully attenuated when most recent pre-pandemic psychological distress and other midlife factors were controlled for. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst life-course trajectories with any prior symptoms of psychological distress put individuals at greater risk of poor mental health outcomes during the pandemic, those with chronic and more recent occurrences were at highest risk. In addition, prior poor mental health during the adult life-course may mean individuals are less resilient to shocks, such as pandemics. Our findings show the importance of considering heterogeneous mental health trajectories across the life-course in the general population in addition to population average trends.

Adult life-course trajectories of psychological distress and economic outcomes in midlife during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from the 1958 and 1970 British birth cohorts.

PURPOSE: Financial adversity in times of economic recession have been shown to have an unequal effect on individuals with prior mental health problems. This study investigated the relationship between mental health groupings across the adult life-course and change in financial situation and employment status during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the use of financial measures to mitigate the economic shock. METHODS: Using two nationally representative British birth cohorts, the National Child Development Study (1958) n = 17,415 and 1970 British Cohort Study n = 17,198, we identified 5 different life-course trajectories of psychological distress from adolescence to midlife which were similar but not identical across the two cohorts. We explored their relation to changes in financial and employment circumstances at different stages during the pandemic from May 2020 to March 2021, applying multinomial logistic regression and controlling for numerous early life covariates, including family socio-economic status (SES). In addition, we ran modified Poisson models with robust standard errors to identify whether different mental health trajectories were supported by government and used other methods to mitigate their financial situation. RESULTS: We found that the financial circumstances of pre-pandemic trajectories of psychological distress with differential onset, severity, and chronicity across the life-course were exacerbated by the COVID-19 economic shock. The 'stable-high' (persistent severe symptoms) and 'adult-onset' (symptoms developing in 30s, but later decreasing) groups were vulnerable to job loss. Compared to pre-pandemic trajectory groupings with no, minor, or psychological distress symptoms in early adulthood, the 'stable-high', 'midlife-onset' (symptoms developing in midlife), and 'adult-onset' trajectory groups were more likely to seek support from the UK governments economic response package. However, trajectories with pre-pandemic psychological distress were also at greater risk of reducing consumption, dis-saving, relying on increased financial help from family and friends, and also taking payment holidays (agreements with lenders to pause mortgage, credit card or loan payments for a set period) and borrowing. CONCLUSION: This work highlights different trajectories of pre-pandemic psychological distress, compared to groups with no symptoms were more vulnerable to pandemic-related economic shock and job loss. By adopting unsustainable mitigating measures (borrowing and payment holidays) to support their financial circumstances during COVID-19, these mental health trajectories are at even more risk of lasting adverse impacts and future economic difficulties.

Predicting the potential for zoonotic transmission and host associations for novel viruses.

Host-virus associations have co-evolved under ecological and evolutionary selection pressures that shape cross-species transmission and spillover to humans. Observed virus-host associations provide relevant context for newly discovered wildlife viruses to assess knowledge gaps in host-range and estimate pathways for potential human infection. Using models to predict virus-host networks, we predicted the likelihood of humans as hosts for 513 newly discovered viruses detected by large-scale wildlife surveillance at high-risk animal-human interfaces in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Predictions indicated that novel coronaviruses are likely to infect a greater number of host species than viruses from other families. Our models further characterize novel viruses through prioritization scores and directly inform surveillance targets to identify host ranges for newly discovered viruses.

POOR SLEEP QUALITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH BURNOUT IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Introduction: Prolonged exposure to stressful environments is associated with adverse psychological outcomes, including sleep disturbance and burnout. Burnout rates have increased substantially during the unprecedented challenges faced by healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since burnout has been associated with significant health risk and adverse organizational outcomes, it is important to identify factors that inform preventive or therapeutic approaches to mitigate adverse outcomes in HCWs. Methods: Participants were HCWs (physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, technicians etc.) from 4 emergency departments in New York City who completed a cross-sectional electronic survey (completed at study enrollment between November 2020-October 2021). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessed global sleep quality. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) assessed 3 burnout dimensions: emotional exhaustion (EE;feelings of being emotionally overextended and exhausted by one's work);Feelings of depersonalization (DP;unfeeling and impersonal response towards patients);and reduced personal accomplishment (PA;feelings of competence and successful achievement in one's work). Descriptive statistics were calculated and separate binary logistic regressions were used to predict poor global sleep quality (PSQI >5) from individual MBI subscales (dimensions of burnout), while controlling for age, race, ethnicity, and gender. Results: Ninety-one participants, studied to date, were included in the analysis (51% non-Hispanic/Latino White, 63% female, mean age: 40 [SD: 9.6] y). Poor global sleep quality was reported by 68%. High EE (score >9), DP (score >6) and reduced PA (score <9) were reported by 44%, 27%, and 18% of participants, respectively. Poor global sleep quality was significantly associated with presence of elevated EE (OR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.07-8.63, p=0.037), but not with elevated DP (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 0.44-4.10, p=0.603) or reduced PA (OR: 3.29, 95% CI: 0.65-16.44, p=0.146). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, poor sleep quality was reported by the majority of participants and associated with increased burnout in HCWs. Poor global sleep appears to have the most influence on the burnout dimension EE, thus suggesting new evidence about associations between sleep and emotional regulation in HCW during the pandemic. Future trials should test whether existing (or novel) interventions can improve sleep and thereby support HCWs in high stress periods.

IDENTIFICATION OF SLEEP FACTORS RELATED TO BLOOD PRESSURE IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Introduction: Emergency Department (ED) healthcare workers (HCWs) may be at elevated risk for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), due in part to sleep and/or circadian disturbances. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of sleep factors with blood pressure, a primary marker of CVD risk, in ED HCWs. Methods: Participants were HCWs (physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, technicians, etc.) from 4 EDs in New York City who completed study procedures between November 2020-October 2021. Participants completed a 2-week data burst, which included sleep/activity (Fitbit Inspire) and home blood pressure monitoring (Omron 5 Series BP7250;preceding and following their main daily sleep episode). Linear regression models, adjusted for age, gender, and race/ethnicity, were conducted predicting blood pressure from sleep factors. Results: The sample included n=74 ED HCWs (mean [SD] age=38.4 [8.7] years). Most were female (62.2%) and non-Hispanic/ Latino White (55.6%). Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 116.1 (12.5) mmHg and 75.1 (7.6) mmHg, respectively. Actigraphy-derived sleep factor means for the data burst period were: a) Total sleep time (TST): 6.8 (1.0) hours;b) Sleep efficiency (SE): 94.5 (2.2)%;c) Percentage of main sleep episodes throughout the burst with TST <6 hours: 25.9 (20.8)%;d) Sleep start time: 24:06 (01:24);and e) Within-subject inter-daily bedtime variability (i.e., SD of sleep start times): 2.4 (1.8) hours. Higher TST was associated with lower SBP (B [SE] =-0.50 [0.30] mmHg/10 min, p=.04) and DBP (B [SE] =-0.50 [0.20] mmHg/10 min, p=.01). Greater SE was associated with lower SBP (B [SE] =-1.23 [0.55], mmHg/%, p=.03) and DBP (B [SE] =-1.05 [0.39], mmHg/%, p=.01). A higher proportion of nights with TST <6 hours was associated with higher DBP (B [SE] =1.4 [0.40], mmHg/10%, p<0.01) but not SBP. Sleep start time and bedtime variability were not associated with BP. Conclusion: These findings provide support for the relationship between sleep and blood pressure. Of note, data were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may impact observed relationships. Because this is a cross-sectional analysis, the causal direction of the association may be (at least partially) reversed. Further research should examine psychological and work-related factors in ED HCWs that may modify these relationships, e.g., stress/anxiety, burnout, and job strain, and include assessments of the circadian system.

Effects of Flexible Scheduling and Virtual Visits on Burnout for Clinicians

Objective: To examine the effects of schedule flexibility and telemedicine on clinician burnout Background: Burnout is a healthcare quality problem. Healthcare leaders are working to understand how best to mitigate burnout and support clinicians' well-being. Burnout is linked to negative impacts in patient care, results in high rates of physician turnover, and negatively impacts physician health, well-being and relationships. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted clinicians to quickly adapt practices including integration of telemedicine services and adoption of more flexible, autonomous schedules. However, the impact of flexible scheduling and telemedicine on burnout is unknown. Design/Methods: The Mini-Z work life survey measured burnout at baseline and at 6 months in 2 different groups: flexible schedules (FS) and standard schedules (SS). Results: This prospective observational research study included 149 providers, 47 FS and 102 SS. Compared to those with SS, clinicians with FS participated in a greater number of telemedicine activities at baseline, but did not differ significantly in degree of burnout. At baseline, 29.7% of all participants indicated burnout symptoms, compared to 29.1% at 6-months, and no difference by group was seen in improvement from baseline (6.4% FS versus 11.0% SS, p=0.71). Participants in the FS group were significantly more likely to indicate improvement in control over workload and experience reduced work-related stress compared to those in the SS group. Burnout was more likely in the 20-39 year old age group. Conclusions: While schedule flexibility does not appear to directly influence burnout, it may impact variables associated with burnout such as control over workload and perceived job stress. Importantly, flexible scheduling was more likely to indicate improvement in control over workload and experienced reduced work-related stress compared to the standard scheduling group. We also found that burnout was more likely in the 20-39 year old age group, suggesting that special focus should be paid to this age group.

Reintroducing rest: evaluation of a patient-guided sleep workbook in a community mental health team setting

Purpose: Sleep disturbance is a common difficulty in the general population. It has become particularly prevalent in the context of disruption to routine brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to trial a patient-guided “sleep workbook” intervention, which was developed by multidisciplinary team members, combining principles of sleep hygiene education and cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia behavioural strategies, and to evaluate its efficacy in a mixed-methods study. Design/methodology/approach: Service users of the community mental health service were invited to participate. A total of 30 service users agreed to participate. A total of 15 participants completed both the intervention and the mixed-methods survey. Four participated in the focus group. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed on the collected quantitative data. A thematic analysis was carried out of qualitative survey responses and focus group discourse. Findings: There was a statistically and clinically significant improvement in quantity and quality of sleep following intervention. Mean hours of sleep prior to the intervention was 4.4 hours [standard deviation (SD) = 2.2], compared to 6.1 hours (SD = 2.2) afterwards (p = 0.003). Quality of sleep improved from a mean of 2.5 (SD = 2.1) to 6.1 (SD = 2.3) following the intervention (p = <0.001). Four themes were developed using the qualitative data: “under-recognition of sleep difficulties”, “ruminations”, “practical utility” and “therapeutic autonomy”. Originality/value: There is a growing need for occupational therapists and clinicians to provide interventions for patients with sleep difficulties and to develop sleep management practice. This patient-guided sleep workbook may be an effective intervention for these patients. © 2022, Rebecca Conlan-Trant, Paula Connolly, Alison O’Sullivan, Anurag Nasa, Mary Sammon and Lauren Alexander.

ASSESSMENT OF AEROSOL DRUG DELIVERY DURING THE ESCALATION OF TREATMENT FOR A SIMULATED COVID-19 ADULT PATIENT

The effect of the various COVID-19 clinical interventions on aerosol delivery is not well known. This study investigated the use of a vibrating mesh nebuliser to deliver aerosolised drugs during mouthpiece-mediated aerosol drug delivery, high flow nasal therapy and invasive mechanical ventilation employing a low tidal volume ventilation strategy. Simulated adult healthy and mild adult COVID-19 breathing patterns were used for spontaneous breathing assessments. A mechanical ventilator delivered standard and low tidal volume ventilation parameters. The results presented represent the percentage drug delivered to a simulated healthy adult and mild adult COVID-19 patient during concurrent aerosol therapy during these interventions. The highest delivered drug dose was measured during mouthpiece-mediated aerosol therapy with a result of 57.93 %- 1.05 % for mild COVID-19, 56.64 %- 2.94 % for healthy, as a comparator. Use of HFNT resulted in the lowest percentage drug delivered (2.33 %- 0.99 % for 30 LPM;1.80 %- 0.61 % for 60 LPM), with no significant difference between the flow rates (p=0.6220). For mechanical ventilation, there was a significant difference in adopting a LTV ventilation strategy (13.66 %- 0.75 %) in comparison to a standard ventilation (30.34 %- 0.27 %) (p < 0.0001). It can be concluded that the choice of clinical intervention in the oxygenation and ventilatory support of the COVID-19 patient influences aerosol delivery to the lung. This variability may be significant and therefore should be noted in the design of dosing strategies, and de-risking of clinical trial programs. Key Message: The choice of clinical intervention in the oxygenation and ventilatory support of the COVID-19 patient influences aerosol delivery to the lung. This variability may be significant and therefore should be noted in the design of dosing strategies, and derisking of clinical trial programs.

Clinical Management of Patients with Schizophrenia Treated with Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics and Telepsychiatry Use During COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic substantially impacted care of patients with schizophrenia treated with long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs). This study examined how clinics adapted operations to maintain a standard of care for these patients after pandemic onset. METHODS: Online surveys were completed in October-November 2020 by one principal investigator (PI) or PI-appointed designee at 35 clinics participating in OASIS (NCT03919994). Items concerned pandemic impacts on clinic operations, particularly telepsychiatry, and on the care of patients with schizophrenia treated with LAIs. RESULTS: All 35 clinics reported using telepsychiatry;20 (57%) implemented telepsychiatry after pandemic onset. Telepsychiatry visits increased from 12%-15% to 45%-69% across outpatient visit types after pandemic onset;frequency of no-show and/or canceled telepsychiatry visits decreased by approximately one-third. Nearly half of clinics increased the frequency of telepsychiatry visits for patients with schizophrenia treated with LAIs. Approximately one-third of participants each reported switching patients treated with LAIs to longer injection interval LAIs or to oral antipsychotics. The most common system/clinic- and patient-related barrier for telepsychiatry visits was lower reimbursement rate and access to technology/reliable internet, respectively. Almost all participants (94%) were satisfied with telepsychiatry for maintaining care of patients with schizophrenia treated with LAIs;most predicted a hybrid of telepsychiatry and office visits post-pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Changes made by clinics after pandemic onset were viewed by almost all participants as satisfactory for maintaining a standard of care for patients with schizophrenia treated with LAIs. Most participants predicted continuing telepsychiatry to support patient care post-pandemic;equitable access to telepsychiatry will be important in this regard. FUNDING: Alkermes, Inc.

Usage of Pediatric Telehealth by US Emergency Departments in 2019

Study Objectives: Though a growing number of EDs receive telehealth services to care for pediatric patients, little is known about the recent usage of pediatric telehealth across all US EDs. Building upon our prior work, we aimed to characterize the usage of ED pediatric telehealth in the pre-COVID-19 era. Methods: The 2019 National ED Inventory (NEDI)-USA survey characterized all US EDs open in 2019. Among EDs reporting receipt of pediatric telehealth services (n=469), we selected a random sample (n=130) for a second, in-depth survey on pediatric emergency care and pediatric telehealth usage (2019 Pediatric Telehealth Survey). We also recontacted a random sample of EDs that responded to a prior, similar 2017 Pediatric Telehealth Survey (n=107), for a total of 237 EDs in the final 2019 Pediatric Telehealth Survey sample. Descriptive statistics are presented as frequencies and proportions. Results: Overall, 193 (81%) of the 237 EDs responded to the 2019 Pediatric Telehealth Survey. Among the 107 EDs first surveyed in 2017, 89 (83%) responded to the 2019 survey. Among these 89 EDs, 63 (71%) reported receiving receiving pediatric telehealth in both 2017 and 2019, 1 (1%) in 2019 only, and 13 (15%) in 2017 only. Among the 130 EDs only surveyed in 2019, 104 (80%) responded and 85 (82%) confirmed their receipt of pediatric telehealth. Overall, 149 responding EDs confirmed pediatric telehealth receipt in 2019. Among these, few reported ever having a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physician (10%) or pediatrician (9%) available for emergency care. 60% reported using pediatric telehealth services less than once per month, and 20% reported using services every 3-4 weeks, although 96% reported that these services were available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Most received pediatric telehealth from either another hospital in their hospital system (39%) or a hospital in a different hospital system (38%). EDs most frequently used pediatric telehealth to assist with diagnosis (73%) and treatment (78%) of pediatric conditions, and with placement and transfer coordination (91%). Almost all (93%) reported using pediatric telehealth to evaluate children (1-17.9 years) and 62% for infants (<1 year). Among the 63 EDs that confirmed pediatric telehealth receipt in both 2017 and 2019, there was an increase in EDs using pediatric telehealth for diagnosis of pediatric conditions (+7%), placement and transfer coordination (+11%), and staff education (+13%). There was also an increase in EDs using pediatric telehealth to evaluate both children (+12%) and infants (+11%). Conclusion: Most EDs receiving pediatric telehealth in 2019 had no board-certified PEM physician or pediatrician available, suggesting that telehealth services are being used to supplement access to pediatric expertise. Most EDs used pediatric telehealth services infrequently. The most common usage of pediatric telehealth was for placement and transfer coordination. We encourage future research on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on national usage of ED pediatric telehealth.

Torus Synestia Nucleic Acid Analysis Platform for Fast, High Multiplex Analysis of Nucleic Acids with Single-Nucleotide Discrimination Level

Background. Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) is an essential tool both for biomedical research and for clinical molecular diagnostics. Currently, there are multiple NAAT platforms available, each offering certain performance and utility advantages and disadvantages as compared to each other. Next generation NAAT platforms aim to deliver increased target detection sensitivity and specificity, low limits of target detection, quantitative high multiplex target capacity, rapid time to results, and simple sample-to-answer workflow. Methods. Here we describe the Torus Synestia System, a NAAT platform capable of rapid, highly multiplexed amplification and detection of both DNA and RNA targets. The platform comprises a small, portable (~ 2kg) amplification and detection device and a disposable single-use cartridge housing a PCR amplification chamber with an integrated label-free microarray for real-time data acquisition and interpretation. The platform offers a 30-min turnaround time with a detection limit of 10 DNA/RNA molecules per assay and single nucleotide discrimination. Results. We demonstrate the Synestia System performance and utility with three distinct molecular applications: 1) detection of 20 genetic loci and 30 single nucleotide polymorphisms in human genomic DNA;2) detection and genotyping of 43 unique bacterial species associated with human urinary tract infections;and 3) detection and profiling human respiratory viral pathogens including SARS-CoV-1/2, seasonal coronaviruses, Influenza A/B, and human respiratory syncytial viruses. In addition, the single-nucleotide specificity of our label-free microarray probes allowed for robust identification and discrimination of newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 lineages, such as B.1.1.7 (a.k.a. UK), B.1.351 (a.k.a. South African), P.1 (a.k.a. Brazilian), and B.1.617 (a.k.a. Indian). Conclusion. The Torus Synestia System has broad applicability in both clinical and research environments. We are confident that the Torus Synestia System will revolutionize syndromic diagnostics at the point of care (PoC) and lead to improved response times during future epidemic and pandemic pathogen outbreaks.

The Aerosolization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Phase I.

INTRODUCTION: The degree to which Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is aerosolized has yet to be determined. The aim of this study is to prove methods of detection of aerosolization of SARS-CoV-2 in hospitalized patients in anticipation of testing for aerosolization in procedural and operative settings. METHODS: In this prospective study, inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 were identified. Demographic information was obtained, and a symptom questionnaire was completed. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filters, which were attached to an air pump, were used to detect viral aerosolization and placed in four locations in each patient's room. The filters were left in the rooms for a three-hour period. RESULTS: There were 10 patients who enrolled in the study, none of whom were vaccinated. Only two patients were more than a week from the onset of symptoms, and half of the patients received treatment for COVID with antivirals and steroids. Among ten RT-PCR positive and hospitalized patients, and four filters per patient, there was only one positive SARS-CoV-2 aerosol sample, and it was directly attached to one of the patients. Overall, there was no correlation between symptoms or symptom onset and aerosolized test result. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this suggest that there is limited aerosolization of SARS-CoV-2 and provided proof of concept for this filter sampling technique. Further studies with increased sample size should be performed in a procedural and operative setting to provide more information about SARS-CoV-2 aerosolization.

Annual physiotherapy reviews in a specialist respiratory clinic for bronchiectasis: the impact of COVID-19 on an already strained workforce

P108 Table 1Delivery of annual physiotherapy reviews before and during COVID-19Year Patients for review Patients reviewed % patients reviewed 31/03/2019–2020 392 226 57.7 01/04/2020–2021 408 130 31.9 ConclusionThe respiratory workforce has been central in the acute response to COVID-19, whilst reduced provision of pulmonary rehabilitation and specialist respiratory clinics has led to a significant reduction in access to care for patients with chronic respiratory conditions reliant on highly specialised management. It is anticipated that the consequences on chronic disease burden will continue to unfold long after the pandemic has been controlled.This research identifies a significant unmet need of physiotherapy within a specialist respiratory service, exacerbated by COVID-19. A wider exploration into respiratory workforce nationally will help to further understand the increased need in a COVID-19 world.ReferencesBTS. British Thoracic Society Guidelines for Bronchiectasis in Adults. Thorax, 2019 December;74(1):3.Chudasama Y., et al. Impact of COVID-19 on routine care for chronic diseases: A global survey of views from healthcare professionals. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2020;14(5):965–967.NHS. The NHS Long Term Plan. 2019. [Online] Available at: www.longtermplan.nhs.uk [Accessed 15 June 2021].